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Wednesday, December 21, 2011

We're building a new room on the ground floor of our Brooklyn house and intend to move there when construction is complete (no, we're not leaving Federal Twist; this is an alternate abode). I've posted before about the opportunity this gives me to have a city garden for the first time in over ten years. Construction will probably last at least four months, so I have time for long winter deliberation.

Gledistia triacanthos 'Sunburst'

The garden must fit into a very constrained space: approximately 20 by 40 feet. The survey below shows how the garden (the green rectangle) will fit into the narrow 20 by 100 foot lot.

I think it's important to keep the physical constraints of a 19th
century Brooklyn house and lot in mind because the spatial layout affects the
emotional "feel" of the garden space, and will influence the character and form the garden
takes. Think linear. You enter the house at the front, walk down a
hallway, and enter the small apartment entrance chamber at midpoint,
with the bedroom to the left (at the front of the house) and a dining
room then living room (the new room under construction) at the back,
looking out onto what will be the garden. The open plan of the dining and living area (the existing back wall of the house will be removed) will eliminate any obstruction of the view. A
12-foot wide opening with sliding glass doors to the garden will be almost like a
beacon, immediately pulling the eyes to the back and into the garden. The
walls will probably be in dark colors, further focusing attention on the
garden.

First a dose of reality. Here is the garden as it presently exists--a construction site. I have to try to imagine the space wiped clean, new fencing all around, delivery of tons of gravel, stone and wood, which must be brought through the house during construction (too destructive after it's complete).

The remaining space will become the garden. This plan below is conceptual, but there are some absolutes. Privacy requires a complete fence layered with vines, a relatively high spreading tree canopy of fine foliage to allow light through, thus the Sunburst Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos 'Sunburst'), and perhaps some strategically placed bamboo. I want water to catch the sunlight and sky, and at grade level to allow a good view from inside the house. A very low deck, really just wooden paving, not so much for actually sitting in the garden, though I will do that if I find enough solitude and quite, but more for the conceptual possibility of sitting in the garden, that is, to see a sitting area and be able to imagine sitting there looking back from the garden and to create a sense of "felt" space. I'm also wedded to the idea of using blue stone paving in certain areas; it's the traditional Brooklyn brownstone paving material. And plenty of gravel through which I may plant some strategically placed specimens, perhaps Bergenia, a small grass or carex, equisetum ...

I'm pretty sure I must have a wavy box hedge in the shade of the south wall. As Peter Holt, a garden designer cyber friend has pointed out, its dark green will contrast nicely with the golden foliage of the Gleditsia. I also want fall color, so I'm considering a small, heavily fruiting crab apple tree, even though I'd prefer to have an uninterrupted Gleditsia canopy of delicate, light, airy foliage. If I could fit in a Magnolia delavayi, I would. Time will tell.

While I have a clear idea of what I want, I think I should also consider one or more options far outside my immediate preferences, so I'm thinking about a pared down, simpler, and more formal garden of regularly spaced Gleditsias, a simple rectangular pool, and an at-grade paved area, probably of concrete or blue stone squares. At back a major feature, perhaps a red masonry wall hiding a utility space. This would be more of a strolling garden, a place for a quick breath of fresh air.

This concept doesn't work well in plan view, so here is its inspiration as elevation--Paley Park in Manhattan--but without the multimillion dollar waterfall wall at the back! I'm intrigued by the linear patterns of the tree trunks against a contrasting background.

So what is my garden brief? I don't particularly care for cooking out or eating in the garden. I want it to be a visual ornament, a space for recreational aesthetics and contemplation. I want privacy from the many surrounding neighbors, at all levels. And I want a place for experiencing the life of plants throughout all four seasons.

And somewhere lurking in the background of these thoughts is Dan Pearson's Home Ground: Sanctuary in the City, not as a model to imitate, but as a way of being I'd like to find in this process of making a garden in Brooklyn.

Your inspirational picture says - subtle moving water as white noise against the city, a sound cocoon to enhance the leaf filigree. A bubbling rill?

Somewhere to IRL sit, with coffee in the morning perhaps. Even if it is just some minutes, nothing beats being able to sit outside in your own designed space. Do you use the seats in your country garden, or are those more for the eye?

Allan, Thanks for that direct and simple question. It makes me work to articulate my thoughts. (Perhaps you're picking up on my mixed feelings about any deck at all.) First, I don't want the deck in the way of the view out from inside. Though I don't particularly like the analogy to an aquarium, I want the view out to be like that, to have an immediacy that hits you in the face. I feel a deck would gather too much "stuff" (chairs, table, flower pots, hoses, whatever) and become a visual obstacle course. It would also bring utilitarian uses to the fore, and I don't want a deck for utilitarian uses (cooking out, for example). I like the deck (we're talking about a deck structure only 6 or 8 inches above grade, though I think that slightly raised surface, somewhat like a dais, is important) to be more like an island, out in the garden, creating a feeling that you might want to go out there, not necessarily to do anything there, though that's a possibility, but to create a tension that draws you out--a strong sense of an "other" space "out there." This is more about feelings about the garden than actual use of the space like another room of the house. I know this flies in the face of much of 20th century garden dogma (Thomas Church, et al.). Perhaps it's closer to the "garden rooms" of Arts and Crafts gardens, rooms you pass through, and linger in only briefly to say something, to appreciate the form of a plant or the fall of the light, at least in my imagination. More like a chapel you might enter at certain time of the day.

Diana,I didn't mention it, but I do want the water to move and make sound, perhaps just a jet or two. That will help block out city noises. Yes IRL I'll probably want to sit in the morning and have a cup of coffee, look at the textures, colors of the plants, notice the planty part of the garden, look up into the leafy "filigree." I do sit in the country garden, mainly just outside the house, which looks out over the garden from a height. The seats out in the garden are rarely used but important focal points, and practically useful when I might want to talk to a friend in the garden. Being out there with another person creates a pleasant sense of intimacy.

Interestingly I thought Dan Pearson close to the top of your piece about your language rather than the hypothetical plans. I was therefore pleased that he is a potential influence. Of course it is important to have spaces you don't necessarily use. I hardly ever sit in the studio garden here in Bristol and yet the chairs are there and by their form they please and they suggest rest. Interesting project and I shall be intrigued to see where your design feet land!BestR

I prefer the top image to the bottom. The bottom is too designed and forced if you know what I mean and has little personality. Have you considered putting the pool across the width of the garden with the path through it in the form of stepping stones. This would break the space up and create rooms without the need for screens/hedges etc. I have also seen some very succcessful sunken seating areas - these have seating built in so you wouldnt have a need for the clutter of chairs etc and as they are sunken they do not detract from the view.

I can't even imagine having to haul all that through the house! I hate to sound bratty...but all those boxwoods...they do tend to have that "cat-pee" smell...especially in a more enclosed space. It totally doesn't bother some people...but I know a lot who really don't like it. I like the idea of a "platform" deck...just as a separate area...it will divide the space. I admit, I do prefer the less formal design...I always feel slightly alienated in very formal gardens (especially with a lot of hardscaping). I feel more like I'm in a museum, rather than a garden. Also, anytime you depend on a group of evenly-spaced, equal-sized plants you run the risk of the whole design falling apart if one of those plants doesn't quite keep up or (heaven forbid) dies...leaving a gaping hole in the design. Just my 2 cents...can't wait to see what you come up with, if your previous garden is any indicator, it will be fabulous!

Robert, I was also thinking about Dan Pearson's comments about layered planting in his own studio garden--on the latest Gardens Illustrated podcast with Tim Richardson and Noel Kingsbury talking to Dan, Cleve West, and Andy Sturgeon.

Helen, I do too (prefer the top one) but am forcing myself to consider other options since I can't do anything about it now (in winter, during construction). I've thought about the floating stone steps across the water, and enlarging the pool. Not sure it works in the space and, more importantly, the Brooklyn back garden environment. Like the second design, it may be a little too "polished" for the place. Unfortunately, the lay of the land doesn't allow for sinking anything. It would collect water. There's simply not enough change in elevation to do that. Thanks for the ideas.

Scott, I'm one of those people who love the smell of box!! Particularly on a hot summer day when it's very strong. I brings back old memories of my southern upbringing. Absolutely transports me. Too bad for visitors, huh? I do get your sense of the second garden feeling like a museum. As to losing a tree, these Gleditsias are rather fast growing, and I might think about a more random spacing of the trees. Just playing with ideas at present. Thanks. Give box another try...

My goodness such confidence! This one can never approach any space with any stridency unless the 'space' is cleared and ready for the usual 'acoustic' ambiance. I am not however a North American or indeed European. How would a Russian mind approach this ?

William, I have no idea what you mean, but the, to me, cryptic nature of your comment nontheless makes me think. I believe I can look forward to a winter full of ideas. "Pop up" stores seem to have become very fashionable in NYC and other cities these days. Why not a "pop up" garden? Something I can put in quickly, without huge cost or labor. This could be doing the garden ass backwards. Making it, planting it, then designing it (simultaneously). I'm only half joking. I have no idea what the Russians would do. Best wishes to you, too, in this season of mixed blessings.

Thanks J..I will endeavour to translate...I regard paper plans for gardens as ..well.. a waste of paper! A few rough sketches ok! The 'space' changes with every deletion and indeed addition. When asked to rejig older gardens I first put my hangmans hood on and mark all the vegetation that should go. After removal (space has changed) i will do a lesser cull if needs be. With a blank sheet somewhat different though! I would approach it by emptying the space and then and only then begin to seriously compose. I rarely use 'structures' as generally a well designed ensemble will need few or none. Too many modern gardens have so much extraneous 'furniture'!

I agree. I'm not a big one for paper plans. The little diagrams I'm doing are transient and just play, really. (I use Excel, not a program intended for drawing, certainly.) Once in the cleared space with a spade, I'll ad lib my way through the process. There's nothing like standing down there with the other buildings looming over you, the sky above, the Brooklyn dirt underneath (dirt, not soil, for sure), and trying to make things work in the real world. The diagrams do help with knowing what materials (gravel, paving) to get when it's practical to get materials through the house, and having a starting point. Agree too about not wanting a lot of "furniture"--only space, privacy, a little water, and light.

I love that comment! Yes, as in all dense, urban areas, I suppose we want a private space behind walls, hidden away from the crowds and noise, quite like a Roman atrium in Brooklyn. I have no illusions; all planning is contingent, and the plans will, as you say, go "walkabout" as soon as I get into the garden to be. There are over 2.5 million residents in Brooklyn alone, so a hidden, secret garden ... yes.

Thanks so much for the mention of Dan Pearson's city garden. I visited his website (http://www.danpearsonstudio.com/#/selected-works/private/dans-garden/) and took some inspiration for my similarly long, narrow Wash.,DC, garden.

I love the idea of your dark colored interior walls (grey?) with the bright lime Gledistia outside -- like the wonderful light when a storm is almost, but not quite, done. They also look like they will be really pretty and have some kind of presence while still young.

The Gleditsia "Sunburst' are like bright flames in early spring well into mid-summer. The one pictured is in my garden in the country, where I planted three that really languish in my heavy wet clay. I expect much more vigorous growth in the city garden, where I will work to improve the soil. I hope to get lots of bang for the buck. (Even in the country, they make quite a statement even though they certainly grow less than vigorously there.) Thanks for that link to Pearson's web site. I had forgotten about the photos there, and thanks for visiting from Rwanda.

Ahh almost a secret garden, like walking through the door of a Riad in the Medina. Well, almost.

Plan A's what I like. I'm not suprised you are going to create a wavy hedge.I think it'll look superb in that space. keep 'em clipped.

I think it's a good idea to put pen to paper. If only as an embellished list. Truth is James, I reckon designing a space this size is difficult. Not much room for error, but you'll make more than a good fist of it.

Rob,First sketch is still my preference, but having looking at Brooklyn gardens some more, I think I'm probably trying to cram too much into the small space. It's really difficult grasping the small size of that space. It inflates in the imagination. The deck may have to go entirely, perhaps for a smaller stone or gravel seating area, perhaps a less geometric design. Plenty of time to think about possibilities. Will still try to keep the Gleditsia, wavy hedge, and pool.

I guess I'm feeling rather schizophrenic about it all. A phase I have to go through as I wait for the construction mess to get out of the way. Maybe there will be no money left for the garden and I'll have to "make do." That would probably be a blessing, being forced to take it slowly.

It's a beautiful plan (I prefer the second, believing that in small gardens symmetry is best) and the sunburst honey locust is a stroke of genius. My only thought (should you use a variation on the second plan) would be to have a screen than has a (large) architectural fragment at its centre, and perhaps at its base, a small pond? A fragment would fit nicely into the Brooklyn sense of place, I think. Think of moss and fern covered ruins in Italy. Or go insane, and recreate Bomarzo?

Ross, I'm intrigued by your suggestions, particularly the use of an architectural "ruin" appropriate to Brownstone Brooklyn. Also by the suggestion of a small pond or perhaps watery feature at its base covered by moss and ferns. That suggestion reminds me of similar plantings I remember seeing in the Vatican Museum and the Forum in Rome. I think your suggestion will move me to find photos of these Italian features for a new post on this concept.

I have just planted last week three Gledisia Sunburst adjacent to our lawn. Of necessity after a blazing summer, with sun that tried to fry the top of our heads. Not sure how they will do. We have minimal turf over gravel. I do know they don't like wind. So within hours of planting we had three days of gales.But a stunning tree.Kerry

I love the tree, Kerry. Some other garden designers are encouraging me to consider others because this one is so over used in the city. It also can get much bigger than I want it to. My experience is that it can be kept within bounds with pruning, and if given difficult conditions, will remain smaller. It will be interesting to hear how yours fair in your hot, sunny climate.

I have just read through all of the posts around your project. And the comments. (now I am back in the city and have decent net access) I really think what you are about is great. Paley Park is stunning inspiration and I see how you have got to your idea now. I was in Manhattan in September, and if I had heard about Paley Park before then that would have been a place of pilgrimage.I love the idea of the chairs. Furniture is not something that usually gets my interest. But it's just great how the ones you envisage are such a part of the idea.Thanks for the comment on the Gleditsia. We will see how they go. Kerry.

And I should have also said that one the great things about Gleditsia is it's lightness and delicacy. I have planted mine for shade as you will. And the shade is that right level. Not too dense and not to scattered. Kerry

That's my experience with them. I think they would provide privacy from neighbors on upper floors all around as well as a light shade that gives me opportunity for a broader range of planting beneath them.

Next time you're in town, let me know. Maybe we can connect. I take it you travel a lot. By the way, Diana of Elephant's Eye (in South Africa) tells me she has no problem with the blog loading. I do have a mobile template enabled, and it should load quickly, but only on a mobile phone! Glad you like Paley Park. Too bad you missed it.

About Me

When we moved to a mid-century house overlooking the woods in western New Jersey, I knew the garden would have to be naturalistic and informal to suit the style of the house and the place. My new garden on Federal Twist Road is an experiment. I call it a wet prairie, and maintain it like a prairie, with annual cutting and burning. The site would appear to be an inauspicious one for a garden, with heavy wet clay saturated much of the year. I cut down trees to create a clearing in the woods, and planted many native and prairie plants, all carefully selected for suitability to the difficult growing conditions. Many non-natives too, if they liked wet clay. Most of these plants are highly competitive, even aggressive, and I try to match them so they keep each other in control. Then I stand aside, and intervene only when necessary.